Five Frugal Fails

You may assume that as The Non-Consumer Advocate, I casually saunter from frugal win to frugal win without the tiniest misstep. Wrong! I make errors. Here are five of them.

I stopped at The Grocery Outlet on my way home from dropping my son at school this morning. I was feeling all frugal and accomplished, as I’d filled two big bags with quality food for a mere $39. I was mentally patting myself on the back when the clerk handed me my receipt, and pointed out that “There’s a $3 coupon at the bottom to use on your next shopping trip!” I had one of those coupons in my wallet but had forgotten to use it! I could have fished it out and asked her if it could be used retroactively, but I simply wasn’t up for being that customer. Crud.

I had a required three hour class for work that I’d been dreading, and had scheduled to take at the beginning of May. I could have scheduled it any time over the past month, but had been extremely passive about just getting it over with. My plan had been to take it outside of a regular work shift, as at least I’d receive an extra three hours of RN pay. Instead, I was sent to go take it during a slow period at work on Friday which meant I received zero extra pay. Crap.

I stopped at my mother’s house over the weekend to help move a heavy piece of furniture from one of her guest cottages. My mom had some tangerines to send home with me as a thank you, but I completely forgot to grab them. Oops.

I still haven’t repaired or replaced my squirrel chomped clothesline, which means that I let a perfectly good Portland heat wave come and go without even a minute air drying my laundry. Very bad frugal Oregonian!

I bought a Lear Jet.

Now your turn. What frugal things have you failed at recently?

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”

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I have been hoping and hoping that 5 Frugal Fails would be a regular post! I consider suggesting it, but I didn’t want to be THAT person who told the blogger what to do.
1. I bought Qdoba for lunch one day last week.
2. Walking through Walmart, I noticed Cuddl Duds long underwear on clearance for $3 each. Do I need these? No. I bought a shirt and pants because the price was too good to pass up.
3. Put way too much onion in my chicken soup, thus ruining it. Forced myself to take it for lunch 2 days, and dumped the rest.
4. Should have gone for a walk at lunch in this beautiful weather, but the jacket I wore this morning made me too hot. Too cold with only cardigan.
5. Fully intended to list a whole bunch of items on Ebay yesterday, but I am a lazy sloth who only listed two.

Urgh, sometimes I feel like I have more frugal fails than successes…we try our best to be good, but sometimes we slip! Right now I am facing a huge vet bill for my poor, sick cat…but there is just nothing I can do about that. So, I am going to try extra hard to find ways to scrimp and save to ‘earn’ back that money spent
1) Will list 3 items on EBay I have been too lazy to list. Could net me about $100
2) Will put off finally buying a smart phone for at least the next 3 months. I really don’t need one anyway
3) Returned a pair of $40 summer shoes I do NOT need. I’ll just wear what I have
4) I will NOT buy pansies to pot this spring, but instead, will wait for summer annuals/perennials
5) Eat down the ton of food we have in the freezer and fridge, and will skip buying wine for at least two weeks! Not sure I can make it without my Friday Night Wine for longer than that!

1. My husband needed new glasses. I took him to COSTCO but he didn’t like any of the frames. Off to Lens Crafters we went.

2. I tried a crochet hook that my sister had. I thought it was much easier on my hands than the one I had. So I ordered a 10-pack (different sizes) and I find the new crochet hooks harder to use than the ones I already had (that were cheap and I already had them).

3. I rented the Peanuts movie. We did not enjoy the first ten minutes so we turned it off.

4. I ordered my mother some iron tablets that a friend recommended. She never took any. I’ll see if my friend wants them.

5. We bought some delicious sunflower seeds at the local market. I spilled a bunch putting them back in the cupboard (the lid was not on).

I’m in Canada and use an online source called Clearly for glasses. We used to use lens crafters, but now spend MUCH less than what they charged. I think the US version is called Coastal. They have a thing where you can upload a selfie and virtually try on frames, one year replacement warranty. Three of us have purchased our last three prescriptions each there. Glasses arrive by mail within a week and they donate a pair to charity for each pair purchased.

1. Had leftovers go to waste. I just could not bring myself to eat them as the dish was pretty bad when I made it fresh.
2. Thought I bought andouille sausage for jambalaya at Wal-Mart where it is $2 less than my normal neighborhood store, but forgot, so I had to make a second trip out to the closest store and pay a premium…
3. 99 cent iced green tea is back at dunkin donuts and I just can’t resist the siren song…
4. Had an overdue library book….I’ll consider it a worthwhile donation to an institution I truly appreciate.
5. There has been major changes with out health care coverage and we missed some deadlines with our HSA, so some medical bills had to be paid out of pocket rather than using the money that was set aside for it. Big frugal fail….

1. I failed to properly care for 2 shrubs I planted last year (not enough water? Too much water? I don’t know what) and now I find they are dead and have to be removed.
2. I went to the bookstore to buy a book of crossword puzzles and ended up buying a book of Sudoku as well — spent double the amount I intended to spend.
3. I went to a conference in LA (required and paid for by my employer) and was so tired when I arrived I ordered room service for dinner. Room service is never frugal.
4. When I returned from LA, I cleaned out my suitcase and put everything in the laundry, but I forgot I had a bunch of other clothes that needed to be laundered as well. So I ended up doing 2 loads when I could have done just one.
5. I had a coupon for a free jar of spaghetti sauce which I forgot to use and it has now expired.

So very exciting that you finally splurged on the Lear Jet but have you factored in the gas, insurance and pilot that you will need to fly you to your next tropical location hee hee! Seriously loved this post its a reminder that sometimes things are missed and that’s okay too

1. At the thrift store, I found a jewelry box I’d been looking for. This particular one was a little on the small side but could hold *most* of my jewelry, I thought. Bought it, then went over to the other side of the thrift store (they probably have it laid out this way for this reason) and found a better jewelry box that was much bigger , and looked like it would hold all of my jewelry. They don’t take returns, so I have a not-big-enough jewelry box that’s all ready to be donated.

2. Then I get it home and find that the necklace hangers that I was so happy about, aren’t tall enough to actually hang necklaces on them.

3 and 4. By then I was just too tired of thrift store shopping and went to the craft store, hoping to buy something I could paint or otherwise decorate, or a picture frame I could put hooks into or something. I got tired of walking around there and splurged on two storage items for jewelry and some beads to make MORE JEWELRY.

5. Back when I was at the thrift store I also got two necklaces and two bracelets. This morning I noticed that one of the necklaces is missing an important bead and one of the bracelets is too tight. I didn’t think I had to try it on–it is not a kiddie-style bracelet and I don’t have particularly large wrists. I’ll have to take apart the broken necklace and use what parts I DO have to redesign it.

and a bonus 6: True, I haven’t bought pearls in years. But when overhauling my jewelry I found at least 5 strands of faux pearls. One strand is broken and I’m not sure I’m going to fix it. Another is very discolored.

Long time lurker first time commenter here. This was so timely! I told my husband last night “the NCA folks would be so mad about this!”

Went on vacation last week, spent hours prepping and planning and packing to minimize costs. Had a great frugal time… then returned home to find the sodding back door wide open in 40 degree weather from wind (it doesn’t close properly unless you do it just right). Will find out how long it was open when we get this month’s power bill 🙁 It’s on an upstairs screened porch so no theft of anything except loads of energy and money!! Already made a note to close back door correctly and push a chair in front of it for good measure next time!

But now I’m going to consider it a win since it prompted me to finally post and I can thank Katy and all of you for such a wonderful Internet gathering place of frugal freak flag flyers!

– Met our son, daughter-in-law and 7 month old grandson in Chicago. Lots of meals out – yikes! We did manage with brunch and early dinner each night.
– We took the Megabus for a total of $13.50 for our round trip fare but paid $29 for cab back home.
– Our dog’s carers had to back out – $150 for boarding.

– Good news! Three etsy sales in three days – maybe I’ve turned a corner.
– Came back to huge donations to our library’s book sale (I am the sole sorter for the sales) and found some lovely board books for above mentioned grandson. So even though sometimes I get overwhelmed by all the sorting (thank you generous donors), I do get first dibs on donations!

1. Buying fast food more than we should
2. Not doing my taxes early to get the refund earlier still have not done them, bluck
3.Buying”some assembly” required desk for my daughter two years ago and never putting it together!!!
4. Planning to start seeds for a mini garden and not starting them yet (did I mention the seeds are from last year?)
5. Cutting up the wrong debit card by accident so now can’t buy gas at Costco until the new one comes in the mail

Frugal win: the tracphone people called my husband last week (he usually orders the phone time) and told him they 2G phones were being phased out so they would be sending me a new phone. He was disappointed because they meant only me—he has a slightly different model than I do.

This is the second time I have been FORCED to get a new phone. My bag phone only stopped being used when they were no longer supported. That’s when I got the Tracphone “flip phone model.” I have no idea what I’m getting this time.

Weather problems (or bed ju ju) kept my sattelite TV in the bedroom from working at all last night. No SIGNAL. I was forced to go to sleep early. How pitiful. Did me no harm–we slept longer than usual this morning!!

Frugal win: the tracphone people called my husband last week (he usually orders the phone time) and told him the 2G phones were being phased out so they would be sending me a new phone. He was disappointed because they meant only me—he has a slightly different model than I do.

This is the second time I have been FORCED to get a new phone. My bag phone only stopped being used when they were no longer supported. That’s when I got the Tracphone “flip phone model.” I have no idea what I’m getting this time.

Weather problems (or bad ju ju) kept my sattelite TV in the bedroom from working at all last night. No SIGNAL. I was forced to go to sleep early. How pitiful. Did me no harm–we slept longer than usual this morning!!

I don’t know what area of town you live in but the kids who work at my GrocOut (St Johns) are very kind about that kind of thing. Though I go every Saturday so they know me well.

I failed this week in that I ordered groceries for the first time ever. It was like $50 more than my weekly budget. But I have pneumonia so I’m trying to cut myself some slack. But still that $50 is irritating me.

1. Bought parsnip seeds from a large retailer and had a feeling they would not germinate because their turnover wouldn’t be high enough. Parsnip seeds have to be really fresh to germinate readily. They didn’t – d’oh!
2. Drove thru last week after we were all late home from work.
3. Stacked on some pounds between Xmas and Easter, and am resorting to calorie controlled meals to shift them. This costs far more than my usual frugal fare, but far less than replacing my wardrobe, as I am very close to moving up a full size. Kicking myself.
4. Started extra contributions to retirement last week. When I saw how much it saves me in tax breaks, plus how much extra I will have when I retire, I’m so cross I did not start this years ago.
5. Winter is coming.
This means not White Walkers, but that our solar hot water won’t work as effectively, increasing our power bills.

I had luck getting old parsnip seeds to germinate after I soaked them in warm water for four hours and then planted them right afterwards. Worth trying. In fact, I do that for almost all my seeds now, as it really seems to up the germination rate.

1, Our family has downsized but I still cook as though there are four of us. Hence, too many leftovers, which in the end are tossed. Translated: $$ into the trash. ( I do use leftovers but sometimes the food either spoils or we decide to avoid the monotony.)
2. Haven’t learned to love the library.
3. Have let a couple of really good coupons expire because of lack of organization.
4. Forget to bring water bottle and snacks with me when running errands. Fast food stands and dollar menus during the afternoon too enticing.
5. Not sure what the clicking and dinging noise is in my car but my gut tells me it won’t be on my list of frugal bragging rights.

I got my husband to eat leftovers when I started asking him, “How many hours did you work to pay for throwing away this food just because it is monotonous?” He works a physically tough job so it really resonated with him that his back is paying for the waste…In fact, I pretty much use that for both of us now for any purchase—how many hours will I have to work to pay for this so is it really worth it. You’d be amazed how easy it is to pass things up…

This is also what I do, and what I say to the kids. “You know Mum would have to work three hours to pay for that whatsit. It’s not worth three hours of my life to buy that thing.” That usually works, and it definitely works on me, I can tell you. Calculating the cost of things in hours of existence – definitely makes me think of ‘value’ differently.

1. I’ve been putting off buying a new shelf for my refridgerator door. The one I have is broken and I’ve been duct taping it. It finally failed the other day. Fell down, spilled out half the container of coffee creamer onto the floor and broke the front of the shelf underneath it, which is now also duct taped. Boo!!
2. Also forgot a coupon. $25 for the eye glass center. They said I could use it on a future purchase, but now I’m not sure we are going back there.
3. Ate out multiple times last week, without a coupon.
4. Bought two things at the thrift store to sell on ebay, but it looks like one is a poor choice and I won’t get my money back out.
5. Bought a lear jet also. I’m trying to keep up with Katy.

I also have had a few frugal fails in the last week or two. Some are big and some are small. I hope that my overall thriftiness help to balance things out. Sometimes it’s hard to be frugal. It’s nice to know that I am not alone.
1) I used two chicken carcasses to make broth. I turned off the crock pot to let it cool and promptly forgot about it. I left it out all night and had to throw it away.
2) I went to the zoo with my nieces and nephew. I packed lunch, snacks and brought my water bottle. Then I proceeded to buy the kids toys in the gift shop and a copy of a hokey family photo that the zoo took. I had a wonderful time and enjoyed the little ones, so I have decided in the big scheme of things that is okay.
3) I live in the southeast and I am going to visit a member of my family who lives in Alaska. Because it is generally warm where I live, I do not have the proper clothing for this type of climate. I tried to buy the things that I needed at thrift stores, but I gave up. I bought them retail — but on sale.
4) I used to always do my own taxes, but I few years ago things got rather complex for many reasons. I started using an accountant. This year I tried to go back to doing it myself, but gave up. I will try again next year.
5) I forgot to pay two bills last month, and I was assessed a late fees. I can’t remember the last time this happened. I was simply distracted.
Today is another day ……

For your trip – if you’re going to go retail – I would suggest purchasing what you need from Land’s End, they’re having a bunch of sales now and their stuff is lifetime guaranteed, so if what you buy doesn’t work out you can always return them for full value.

1. I mis-timed making my kombucha so that today I have none ready. I know I will drink a soda to replace it. I drink all-natural, stevia sweetened sodas when I drink them, so they cost even more than the regular ones.
2. We have block and wood we bought for projects, some of which we’ve never used. We are finally giving the rest of it away instead of trying to do all the projects we’d planned.
3. I let an 8 oz. package of cream cheese and a package of goat cheese hide in the refrigerator and go bad.
4. I have several bottles of expensive essential oils going to waste. I was making my own perfume and bought a variety of lovely oils, only to find out that I’m not a person who can “keep” a scent. The smell has gone in less than 30 minutes. The same with store-bought perfume which my daughter bought me. I’ve tried to use the oils in a plug in oil diffuser, and the scent disappeared from it in an hour. I use them in room sprays, but that only takes a few drops — they’ll go bad before I use them up that way.
5. I insist on pantyhose when I wear dresses and skirts, because older legs like mine have spider veins, freckling, etc. I bought a new pair and wore them only three times, by which they had multiple runners in both feet. I tossed them.

1. I got DVD’s for the kids to watch on vacation… 3 weeks ago!! I forgot about them and now owe $32!! yes, that’s $32 in fines!
2.My youngest daughter had picture day at preschool. She really needed some sandals for spring as all she ever wears are her favorite yard sale cowgirl boots. I went out to try to find her some cute sandals. I ended up spending $20 on a nice pair of leather sandals. Sandals aren’t even in the picture.
3. My middle daughter has been eating in the lunchroom at school the past week because I haven’t been to the Dollar Tree to pick up cheap Nature’s Own bread. I could have purchased the same bread, but a little higher priced,at Kroger when I was there and still saved $$ on lunches. I guess some of this is being lazy on my part but I am so tired of all that I have to do to get us all ready in the mornings.
4. I got a oranges reduced at Kroger and put under a counter in a spot I rarely look and they are now greenish, powdery, and shriveled.
5. I have been using plastic disposable cups for my kids to eat cereal out of lately because I have so much to clean up all the time and I am rarely home. I plan to not buy anymore as soon as I run out.

jennifer,
I don’t know if this would work for you or not, but I always make my kids’ lunches the night before, store in the fridge, and add a freezer pack in the morning. I’ve always been amazed at how much smoother our mornings run w/ the lunches already packed.
Re your DVD fines: Does your library allow you to read down fines?

I started off the school year packing the lunches the night before and sticking the whole lunchbox in the fridge then adding the cold pack in the morning, pretty much like you said. I have just gotten lazy, lately. I just need to get back on track.
Also, I didn’t think to ask if my library providesa read down. This is the first time I have ever had such a large fine. I am for sure gonna ask about this, thanks Cathy!

Ha, Lear Jet, BAHAHAHAHA You Go Girl!
1. I set the dinner leftovers of baked chicken on the counter to cool ALL – NIGHT- LONG! Trash! But did that (all night long) make you think of the Lionel Richie song? Sing it… All Night Long, All Night, All Night…. 🙂
2. forgot to sweeten my overnight oats last night so I ran out from the office to pick up a jar of peanut butter to smear on bread for breakfast.
3. went shopping at Sams this past weekend, when I really didn’t need to (enough said about that, uuugghhh!)
4. seriously thinking about a computer purchase so I can set my laptop on fire, but I really don’t NEED to buy one
5. waited till the last minute to do our taxes which has caused me to possibly need a Priest for an exorcism… green soup anyone? BLAH, YUK, PLUHHH
Have a Great Day Y’all! 🙂

1. Forgot to use a $5 coupon at Food Lion until it expired.
2. Bought $68 worth of house-warming gifts at a store that had given me a 10 % off coupon, and then forgot to use it.
3. Wasn’t feeling too well Saturday and did not make homemade bread, which means my guys are plowing through the store-bought stuff at an accelerated rate that will require a trip to the store very soon.
4. Spent a great deal of time Sunday trying to find a free music player app that would work on my older smart phone. In the end, there was no joy, and I wound up spending $30 on a Sansa Clip player. This is why one should not shop while frustrated.
5. My husband’s office is having Hawaiian shirt day as a team-building exercise. *rolls eyes hard at this foolishness* Instead of letting me know ahead of time so we could trawl the racks at Goodwill, he ordered a new shirt online. He will wear it exactly once.

Your number 5 reminded me of something my husband did years ago. He was traveling on business, decided to drive to save money and while there he found a deal on new mats for his truck, he had to order them, they came in before he left and he left without picking them up and they never sent them to him! This cost about $100. Believe me he heard about that for years, probably why we’re no longer married.

Many frugal fails these past weeks, the worst I have been this year! 🙁

1. We bought a heap of good quality wooden furniture off Ebay. I was so excited to get them at a good price. As we had to drive for hours collecting the items from various people, and without a truck of our own, we hired a small van type truck. Cost us $300 to hire (insurance and km included). Unfortunately, we unknowingly went through 4 tolls (after getting a bit lost and going around in circles), which charged us $80!!! The small truck/van was almost $20 per toll. Tolls in Australia / Sydney are such a rip off! Oh well, saved a fair bit on the furniture.

2. Eaten out a few times this past month. Nothing overly expensive but still doesn’t align with our saving goals. I should be eating from pantry / freezer more instead of unnecessary trips to grocery store. I have made quite a few of these lately!

3. Potential frugal fail. I want a new car. Don’t need a new car. But want a new car that has a bigger boot (my current boot is TINY) and will accommodate a family. Trying to fight this urge.

Oh Jade, whenever I get this urge, I simply calculate how much the sales tax wold be. If that doesn’t work, I add the license and registration fees. The amount that disappears in a car purchase is usually so shockingly large that it cures me of the new (to me) car blues.